Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1887-12-22

dren, bidding them come TO the library in
half an hour and help him open his pack
Bessie well knew what that meant Papa
had brought her lots Of nice things, as she
explained 70 Nellie, assuring her that she
| should have half OF them. "0h Bessie, ="
was all the poor child could reply.
To her, the half-hour spent in Bessle's
nursery seemed little more than a moment,
as she feastod her eyes on all the wonders
| there And Bessie herself soon forgot
every thing else in the p'oasure of exhibit
ing them. The stroke Of the clock recalled
her, however, and seizing Nellie's hand
they were of to the library like a whirl-
wind
Papa and awaited them there, and on the
table before us was the mysterious pack, az
he had called his large valise Such time
uS we had search ng from among its con-
tents the various bundles marked with our
names
Bessie clapped her hands delightedly as
one after another OF her beautiful toys was
disclosed, and astcnlshed her papa and ine
beyond measure by her liberality toward
her little guest. who stood looking on and
receiving what wGs given her without q
word, seeming half-dazed with wonder and
happiness
When the gifts had been distributed she
stole quietly 20 n retired window Bessie
soon followed and found her absorbed In
the contemplation OF a miniature Likeness,
which she held In one hand while with the
other she grasped the corners OF her trets
ure- laden apron.
II am looking at mamma she said, In
answer 70 Bessie's inquiry sSes h ow she
is smil ng because / am so happy. I was
almost sure she would know"
And she really does" said Bessie with
sweet credulity. Slow pretty she ia Let's
show her to papa and mamma" and, taking
the picture from the unresisling hand, she
ran TO US, holding it out and exclaiming:
"Look, this Is Nellie's pretty mamma"
Can II be possible gasped my sband,
growing deathly pale. Margaret It is the
face Of my poor, misg nided sister. And this
is her orphan, he continued, as he rose and
took the frightened child In his arms
Don't be afraid, little one. You shall
never want Il fathers love while live
Come, wife, come, Bessie, add Your welcome
To mine, for henceforth this poor little wal,
must have place In our home and hear's t"
We needed no second bidding. and hap
pier fnmily than ours could not have been
found that day in all Christendom.
The real cause OF my husbands agitation
on hearing the childs name WIS now made
clear to me. The name was his sisters, but
not finding in the face the resemblance be
sought he had decided that Nelly Martin
was too common a name 10 be significant
He had never spoken TO ms Of his sister
because, "a he said, he could hardly bear TO
think, much less talk, Of her. She had been
his boyhood's idol but had married un-
fortunately. In her shame aud disappoint-
ment she had exiled herself from home and
friends, eluding all search even after the
death Of her unworthy husband. which had
occurred before Nellie could remember
Fido, reinstated In his old place, now d.
vides his attention between his old snd mis-
new mistress, and Nellie, In the genial at
mosphere OF our happy home, has become
almost as plump and rosy as Bessie She
fondly believes that Santa Claus was instru-
mental In bringing her 10 Ms, and wonders
what he can do for her this Christmas to In
any way compare with that
Mrs BARBARA WHITsoN